Collapsible plaque for casket or headstone

ABSTRACT

A collapsible plaque for holding floral objects is disclosed. The collapsible plaque may be used with a casket or headstone for display of a floral object thereon.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/472,039, filed Jun. 21, 2006, now abandoned; which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/692,688, filed Jun. 21, 2005. The entire contents of each of the above-referenced patents and patent applications are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENTLY DISCLOSED AND CLAIMED INVENTIVE CONCEPT(S)

1. Field of the Invention

The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates generally to stone and casket plaque easels for holding a floral object, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to an erectable or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel for holding and/or supporting a floral object. In yet another aspect, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to methods of shipping a stone and casket plaque easel, methods of using a stone and casket plaque easel, methods of storing a stone and casket plaque easel, and methods of placing a floral object on a stone and casket plaque easel.

2. Description of the Related Art

Stone and casket plaque easels are used in the floral, funeral and headstone industries to support and display flower sprays atop caskets and/or headstones. Current stone and casket plaque easels are cumbersome making them difficult to ship, store, and transport due to their awkward, bulky nature. Stone and casket plaque easels are usually constructed of materials such as, for example, steel. Such stone and casket plaque easels do not have the ability to readily dissemble or collapse into a position that is compact and easily manageable. Typically, for example, the legs of current stone and casket plaque easels are in a fixed (erected) position (for example, the prior art stone and casket plaque easel shown in FIG. 1) making it impossible to dissemble or collapse the stone and casket plaque easel for shipment, transportation and/or storage.

Currently, florists attach floral sprays to current stone and casket plaque easels by affixing the spray to or placing the spray on a central support member of the easel. The easel must then be transported in a fixed erect position to a designated location for placement on a headstone/plaque and/or casket. After a funeral visitation or service in the funeral home or chapel, the current stone and casket plaque easel is removed in the fixed, erect position for transportation. The easel is then transported to the cemetery where the easel is placed atop a casket for use again during a grave side service or as a decoration at the grave site after the service. These stone and casket plaque easels are frequently transported to various ceremonies and recycled for subsequent use. The transportability of current stone and casket plaque easels is therefore not maximized because of the bulky nature of these easels.

Further, shipping and/or freight costs currently reflect the cumbersome nature of shipping current stone and casket plaque easels. For example, depending on the freight zone, freight costs may range from 9.26% to 36.14% of the total manufacturing costs. This is because current stone and casket plaque easels are produced in a factory and shipped to a designated location in the fixed, erected position. Shipping these types of stone and casket plaque easels is costly due to the large amount of space that the current stone and casket plaque easels require. A stone and casket plaque easel that is fully or partially collapsible would dramatically decrease shipping costs, for example, fully or partially collapsible stone and casket plaque easels may reduce freight costs by up to 75% when compared to the freight costs of current non-collapsible stone and casket plaque easels.

Warehousing space must also be maximized to accommodate storage of such stone and casket plaque easels. For example, when arriving at a distributorship or flower shop, current stone and casket plaque easels require the manufacturer, distributor or florist to provide an excessive and unnecessary amount of storage space for these non-collapsible easels.

It is to this end that there is a need in the industry for a fully or partially erectable or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel that overcomes the disadvantages and defects of current stone and casket plaque easels, and that is compact, easily transportable, and less expensive to ship and store. It is to such a stone and casket plaque easel that the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is directed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stone and casket plaque easel found in the prior art.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of one embodiment of an erectable and/or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) in the erect position.

FIG. 2B is a second perspective view of the embodiment of the erectable and/or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel shown in FIG. 2A in the collapsed position.

FIG. 2C is a third perspective view of the erectable and/or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel shown in FIG. 2A in the erect position having a floral object placed thereon.

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the erectable and/or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel shown in FIG. 2A placed on a headstone.

FIG. 2E is a perspective view of the erectable and/or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel shown in FIG. 2A placed on a casket.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the erectable and/or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) in the erect position.

FIG. 3B is a second perspective view of the embodiment of the erectable and/or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel shown in FIG. 3A, in the collapsed position.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the erectable and/or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) in the erect position.

FIG. 4B is a second perspective view of the embodiment of the erectable and/or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel shown in FIG. 4A, in the collapsed position.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the erectable and/or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) in the erect position.

FIG. 5B is a second perspective view of another embodiment of the erectable and/or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel shown in FIG. 5A, in the collapsed position.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the erectable and/or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) in the erect position.

FIG. 6B is a second perspective view of the embodiment of the erectable and/or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel shown in FIG. 6A in the collapsed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY DISCLOSED AND CLAIMED INVENTIVE CONCEPT(S)

It is to be understood that the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways which would be plain to one of ordinary skill in the art given the present specification and drawings appended hereto. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is directed to a fully or partially erectable or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel for holding a floral object. In one embodiment, the stone and casket plaque easel has at least two leg members, each of the leg members having a first end and a second end, the central portion of each of the leg members being connected to a support member for supporting and/or holding a floral object such as, for example, a floral spray wherein the leg members are moveable from an erect position to a collapsed position wherein the leg members occupy a lesser volume of space and further wherein the at least two legs are self-erecting from the collapsed position to the erect position. The stone and casket plaque easel of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) may be erectable, collapsible, erectable and collapsible, semi-erectable, semi-collapsible, semi-erectable and semi-collapsible, self-erecting, self-collapsing, self-erecting and self-collapsing, semi-self-erecting, semi-self-collapsing and/or semi-self-erecting and semi-self-collapsing.

Additionally, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to methods of shipping an erectable or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel, methods of using an erectable or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel, methods of storing an erectable or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel, methods of placing a floral object on an erectable or collapsible easel, and methods of displaying a floral object on or about an erectable or collapsible stone and casket plaque easel.

All of the embodiments of the stone and casket plaque easel described herein may be fully erectable and/or collapsible, semi-erectable and/or semi-collapsible, self-erectable and/or self-collapsible, semi-self-erectable and/or semi-self-collapsible, and combinations thereof. Further, all of the embodiments of the stone and casket plaque easel described herein may be erectable without being collapsible and vice-versa.

The terms “erectable”, “erect”, or “assembled” are synonymous herein and mean that the stone and casket plaque easel is deployed fully for use as intended, i.e., placement on or over a headstone, plaque or casket for display of a floral object. The terms “collapsible”, “collapsed”, or “dissembled” are synonymous herein and mean that the stone and casket plaque easel is positioned such that at least one of the plurality of leg members are capable of being positioned in or are positioned in a fully or partially collapsed position. The term “fully erectable” as used herein means that at least one of the plurality of leg members are capable of being positioned in or are positioned in the erect position. The term “partially erectable” or “semi-erectable” as used herein means that one of the plurality of leg members of the stone and casket plaque easel is in a fully erected position or any number of the plurality of leg members are in a partially erected position.

Any of the embodiments of the stone and casket plaque easel described herein may be fully or partially collapsible. The term “fully collapsible” as used herein means that at least one of the plurality of leg members are capable of being positioned in the fully collapsed position. The term “partially collapsible” or “semi-collapsible” as used herein means that one of the plurality of leg members is in a fully collapsed position or any number of the plurality of leg members are in a partially collapsed position. Also, the stone and casket plaque easel may be reversibly erectable or irreversibly erectable (i.e., once erected, the stone and casket plaque easel may not be collapsed and/or vice-versa). It should also be understood that the stone and casket plaque easel 10 may only be capable of erecting yet not collapsing, collapsing yet not erecting, and both erecting and collapsing.

The term “floral object” as used herein will be understood to include any floral object which can be placed on a stone and casket plaque easel such as, but not limited to, a floral grouping, a floral decoration, a wreath, potted plants, foam shapes (for example, a cross, words (i.e., mom), a flag), non-floral objects such as, for example, a photograph, a piece of artwork, a flag or any other object that is capable of being displayed on a stone and casket plaque easel.

The term “floral grouping” as used herein refers to a single flower, foliage, a botanical item, a propagule, cut flowers, and/or other fresh and/or artificial plants or floral materials, including secondary plants, growing potted plants having a root portion and/or other ornamentation which adds to the aesthetic qualities of the overall floral grouping. The term “floral grouping” as used herein may also refer to a “floral grouping”, as defined above, which is disposed within a pot or a flower pot.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C, designated generally by the reference numeral 10 is a stone and casket plaque easel. The stone and casket plaque easel 10 has a plurality of leg members and, in one embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the stone and casket plaque easel 10 has a first leg member 20 and a second leg member 30. The stone and casket plaque easel 10 also includes a support member 40 for supporting and/or holding a floral object 50, as shown in FIG. 2C.

The first leg member 20 has a first end 60, a second end 70, and a central portion 80. Each end of the first end 60 and the second end 70 is substantially L-shaped having surface engaging members 90 and 100, respectively, for supporting each end of the first leg member 20. The second leg member 30 has a first end 110, a second end 120, and a central portion 130. Each of the first end 110 and the second end 120 is substantially L-shaped having surface engaging members 140 and 150, respectively, for supporting each end of the second leg member 30. It should be understood that the surface engaging members 90, 100, 140, and 150 may be eliminated from the stone and casket plaque easel 10 without destroying the intended function thereof. That is, in one embodiment, the surface engaging member 90, 100, 140, and 150 are used to support the stone and casket plaque easel 10 when positioned on a substrate, such as the ground. However, when the stone and casket plaque easel 10 is positioned on top of a headstone or casket as described herein, the surface engaging members 90, 100, 140, and 150 may be eliminated without destroying the intended function of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the leg members may be constructed of a unitary piece of material such as, for example, flattened aluminum rod. However, it should be understood that the leg members of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) may be constructed of materials such as, for example, steel rod (tubular, flat, or profile shaped) and/or wire (coated or uncoated), aluminum rod (tubular, flat, or profile shaped) and/or wire (coated, anodized or uncoated), stainless steel rod (flat or profile shaped) and/or wire (coated or uncoated), plastic pieces of material having cylindrical, tubular, triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal, or other profile shapes or cross-sections of profile shapes, hollow, tubular or profile shaped materials made of metals or polymers, solid or hollow wood, synthetic or man-made materials, natural materials, or any other suitable material. Further, the material may be flexible or rigid.

Alternatively, the first leg member 20 and the second leg member 30 may be formed of two or more pieces of material. If the first leg member 20 and the second leg member 30 are formed of two or more pieces of material, the materials may differ or the materials may be the same. For example, if the first leg member 20 and the second leg member 30 are formed of two or more pieces of material, one of the leg members may be formed of steel and the other may be formed of aluminum. In another embodiment, each of the plurality of leg members may be formed of at least two or more materials. For example, a portion of at least one of the leg members may be steel and another portion of the leg member may be aluminum. The plurality of leg members may be constructed of the same material or a different material. For example, at least one of the plurality of leg members may be constructed of steel and the other leg members may be constructed of aluminum.

The leg members may have any size diameter, width, or profile dimensions and/or any length that is desired and useful for the particular use the stone and casket plaque easel 10 is put. In general, however, the stone and casket plaque easel 10 will have a height of from about 1″ to about 6″, more preferably a height from about 1″ to about 4″, and most preferably a height from about 1″ to about 3″.

The surface engaging members are generally in contact with a substrate (not shown) to thereby support and hold the stone and casket plaque easel 10 in a position suitable for use to support a floral object. The substrate may be any surface such as, for example, a floor, a platform, dirt, grass, fiber, plastic, tile, carpet, combinations thereof, or any surface capable of supporting the stone and casket plaque easel 10 thereon. It should be understood that the surface engaging members may be eliminated without altering the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

Each embodiment of the stone and casket plaque easel 10 described herein could be used with or without anchoring materials known in the art to prevent the stone and casket plaque easel 10 from moving or tipping. The anchoring materials may be connected to the surface engaging members or alternatively be an extension of the leg members. Examples of anchoring materials include, but are not limited to, adhesive, cohesive, spikes (metal or plastic), rubber feet or pads, combinations thereof, or any other materials capable of anchoring the stone and casket plaque easel 10 to the substrate. The anchoring material may be formed integrally or non-integrally with the stone and casket plaque easel 10 and may be constructed of the same or different material as the stone and casket plaque easel 10.

The support member 40 for supporting and/or holding the floral object 50 may be formed of the same material as the leg members (i.e., aluminum) or may be formed of a different material than the leg members such as, for example, any of the materials discussed above. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the support member 40 is substantially rectangular in shape and has a first end 160, a second end 170, a first side 172, a second side 174, a first surface 180, and a second surface 190. Though the support member 40 shown in FIG. 2A-2B is substantially rectangular in shape, it should be understood that the support member 40 may be shaped in any manner to substantially conform to the shape of the casket and/or plaque. The support member 40 includes a first lip member 200 and a second lip member 220 for ease of connecting and/or disconnecting the leg members to the support member 40 for erecting and/or collapsing the stone and casket plaque easel 10.

The first lip member 200 and the second lip member 220 are located on the second surface 190 of the first end 160 and the second surface 190 of the second end 170, respectively, of the support member 40. The first lip member 200 and the second lip member 220 each include a retaining area 230 and 240, respectively, for retaining a portion of each leg member therein when each leg member is connected to the support member 40. The first lip member 200 and the second lip member 220 may be flexible or substantially flexible so as to bend outwardly away from the second surface 190 to facilitate engagement with the plurality of legs.

As shown in FIG. 2B, when inserting each respective leg member into its respective retaining area, the user may need (although not necessary) to create a separation between the distal end of the lip member and the second surface 190 of the support member 40 for insertion of the leg member into its respective retaining member. Further, when dissembling the leg members from the support member 40 for transportation, shipment, or storage, the lip members must be separated from the support member 40 to remove each leg member from its respective retaining area (FIG. 2B).

The first lip member 200 and the second lip member 220 may be unitary in construction with the support member 40, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, or the lip members may be formed separately from the support member 40. The lip members may also be constructed of the same material as the support member 40, or the lip members may be constructed of a different material than the support member 40.

Shown in FIG. 2D, the first leg member 20 and the second leg member 30 are positioned about a portion of a headstone 400 such that the first end 60 and the second end 70 of the first leg member 20 are positioned on opposing sides of the headstone 400 and the first end 110 and the second end 120 of the second leg member 30 are positioned on opposing sides of the headstone 400 thereby supporting the support member 40 on the headstone 400 for display of the floral object 50 thereon.

Shown in FIG. 2E, the first leg member 20 and the second leg member 30 are positioned about a portion of a casket 500 such that the first end 60 and the second end 70 of the first leg member 20 are positioned on opposing sides of the casket 500 and the first end 110 and the second end 120 of the second leg member 30 are positioned on opposing sides of the casket 500 thereby supporting the support member 40 on the headstone 400.

It should be understood that any of the embodiments of the casket and plaque easel described herein may be positioned on a headstone or casket in the same manner as described above in relation to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A-2E for display of the floral object 50 thereon.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3B, designated generally by the reference numeral 10 a is a stone and casket plaque easel. The stone and casket plaque easel 10 a has a plurality of leg members and, in one embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the stone and casket plaque easel 10 a has a first leg member 20 a and a second leg member 30 a. The stone and casket plaque easel 10 a also includes a support member 40 a for supporting and/or holding a floral object (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the first leg member 20 a and the second leg member 30 a are each formed from a unitary piece of material. However, it should be understood that the first leg member 20 a and the second leg member 30 a may each be formed from more than one piece of material, if desired. The first leg member 20 a has a first end 60 a, a second end 70 a, and a central portion 80 a. The first end 60 a includes a first member 62 a and a second member 64 a such that the first member 62 a and the second member 64 a are spaced in a substantially parallel relationship. The second end 70 a includes a first member 72 a and a second member 74 a joined by a central member 76 a. The first end 60 a is substantially L-shaped having surface engaging members 90 a and 92 a for substantially supporting the first member 62 a and second member 64 a, respectively. The second end 70 a is substantially L-shaped wherein the central member 76 a is positioned for substantially supporting the second end 70 a. The central portion 80 a includes a first portion 82 a and a second portion 84 a.

The second leg member 30 a has a first end 110 a, a second end 120 a, and a central portion 130 a. The first end 110 a includes a first member 112 a and a second member 114 a such that the first member 112 a and the second member 114 a are spaced in a substantially parallel relationship. The second end 120 a includes a first member 122 a and a second member 124 a joined by a central member 126 a. The first end 110 a is substantially L-shaped having surface engaging members 132 a and 134 a for substantially supporting the first member 112 a and second member 114 a, respectively. The second end 120 a is substantially L-shaped wherein the central member 126 a is positioned for substantially supporting the second end 120 a. The central portion 130 a includes a first portion 136 a and a second portion 138 a.

As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the leg members may be constructed of a unitary piece of material such as, for example, 16 gauge wire. However, it should be understood that the leg members of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) may be constructed of materials such as, for example, steel rod (tubular, flat, or profile shaped) and/or wire (coated or uncoated), aluminum rod (tubular, flat, or profile shaped) and/or wire (coated, anodized or uncoated), stainless steel rod (flat or profile shaped) and/or wire (coated or uncoated), plastic pieces of material having cylindrical, tubular, triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal, or other profile shapes or cross-sections of profile shapes, hollow, tubular or profile shaped materials made of metals or polymers, solid or hollow wood, synthetic or man-made materials, natural materials, or any other suitable material. Further, the material may be flexible or rigid.

Alternatively, the first leg member 20 a and the second leg member 30 a may be formed of two or more pieces of material. If the first leg member 20 a and the second leg member 30 a are formed of two or more pieces of material, the materials may differ or the materials may be the same. For example, if the first leg member 20 a and the second leg member 30 a are formed of two or more pieces of material, one of the leg members may be formed of steel and the other may be formed of aluminum. In another embodiment, each of the leg members may be formed of at least two or more materials. For example, a portion of at least one of the leg members may be steel and another portion of the leg member may be aluminum. The plurality of leg members may be constructed of the same material or a different material. For example, at least one of the plurality of leg members may be constructed of steel and the other leg members may be constructed of aluminum.

The leg members may have any size diameter, width, or profile dimensions and/or any length that is desired and useful for the particular use the stone and casket plaque easel 10 a is put. In general, however, the stone and casket plaque easel 10 a will have a height of from about 1″ to about 6″, more preferably a height from about 1″ to about 4″, and most preferably a height from about 1″ to about 3″.

The surface engaging members are generally in contact with a substrate (not shown) to thereby support and hold the stone and casket plaque easel 10 a in a position suitable for use to support a floral object. The substrate may be any surface such as, for example, a floor, a platform, dirt, grass, fiber, plastic, tile, carpet, combinations thereof, or any surface capable of supporting the stone and casket plaque easel 10 a thereon. It should be understood that the surface engaging members may be eliminated without altering the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

Each embodiment of the stone and casket plaque easel 10 a described herein could be used with or without anchoring materials known in the art to prevent the stone and casket plaque easel 10 a from moving or tipping. The anchoring materials may be connected to the surface engaging members or alternatively be an extension of the leg assemblies. Examples of anchoring materials include, but are not limited to, adhesive, cohesive, spikes (metal or plastic), rubber feet or pads, combinations thereof, or any other materials capable of anchoring the stone and casket plaque easel 10 a to the substrate. The anchoring material may be formed integrally or non-integrally with the stone and casket plaque easel 10 a and may be constructed of the same or different material as the stone and casket plaque easel 10 a.

The support member 40 a for supporting and/or holding the floral object may be formed of the same material as the leg assemblies (i.e., steel) or may be formed of a different material than the leg members such as, for example, any of the materials discussed above. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the support member 40 a is substantially rectangular in shape and has a first end 160 a, a second end 170 a, a first side 172 a, a second side 174 a, a first surface 180 a, and a second surface 190 a. Though the support member 40 a shown in FIG. 3A-3B is substantially rectangular in shape, it should be understood that the support member 40 a may be shaped in any manner to substantially conform to the shape of a casket and/or plaque (not shown) on which it is placed. The first end 160 a of the support member 40 a includes a first lip member 200 a and the second end 170 a of the support member 40 includes a second lip member 230 a for ease of connecting and/or disconnecting each leg member to the support member 40 a for erecting and/or collapsing the stone and casket plaque easel 10 a.

The first lip member 200 a and the second lip member 220 a are located on the second surface 190 a of the first end 160 a and the second end 170 a, respectively, of the support member 40 a. The first lip member 200 a defines a first retaining area 202 a and a third retaining area 204 a for retaining a portion of the first portion 82 a and the second portion 84 a, respectively, therein for connecting the leg assembly 20 a to the support member 40 a and to further permit rotation of the first leg member 20 a between an expanded position and a collapsed position when the first leg member 20 a is connected to the support member 40 a.

The second lip member 220 a defines a first retaining area 222 a and a fourth retaining area 224 a for retaining a portion of the first portion 136 a and the second portion 138 a, respectively, therein for connecting the leg assembly 30 a to the support member 40 a and to further permit rotation of the second leg member 30 a between an expanded position and a collapsed position when the second leg member 30 a is connected to the support member 40 a. Though the lip members are shown located on the second surface 190 a of the support member 40 a, it should be understood that the lip members may be located on any portion of the support member 40 a such that the lip members are capable of retaining a portion of each of the respective leg members therein. The lip members of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) may be flexible or substantially flexible so as to bend outwardly away from the second surface 190 a to facilitate engagement with a portion of each respective leg member. Rotation of each leg member within its respective lip member permits the stone and casket plaque easel 10 a to form an open profile on one side of the easel 10 a thus requiring less packaging space as well as permitting snap action of the easel 10 a in either the collapsed or erected position.

As shown in FIG. 3B, when inserting a portion of each leg member into its respective retaining area, the user may need (although not necessary) to create a separation between the distal end of the lip member and the second surface 190 a of the support member 40 a for insertion of a portion of the leg member into its respective retaining area.

The lip members of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) may be unitary in construction with the support member 40 a, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, or the lip members may be formed separately from the support member 40 a. The lip members may also be constructed of the same material as the support member 40 a, or the lip members may be constructed of a different material than the support member 40 a.

As shown in FIG. 3B, when collapsing the leg members for transportation, shipment, or storage, the leg members may be rotated inwardly toward a center portion 42 a of the support member 40 a. However, it should be understood that the leg members may be collapsed in any manner that permit transportation, shipment, or storage of the easel 10 a.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4B, shown therein is an easel 10 b similar in purpose to the embodiment described in FIGS. 3A-3B. However, in FIGS. 4A-4B, the stone and casket plaque easel 10 b has a first leg member 20 b and a second leg member 30 b. The stone and casket plaque easel 10 b also includes a support member 40 b for supporting and/or holding a floral object (not shown). A support member 40 b includes a first lip member 200 b and a second lip member 240 b located on opposing ends of the support member 40 b. The first lip member 200 b is located on a second surface 190 b of a first end 160 b of a support member 40 b. The second lip member 240 b is located on the second surface 190 b of a second end 170 b of the support member 40 b. Though the lip members are located on the second surface 190 b of the first end 160 b and the second end 170 b of the support member 40 b shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, it should be understood that the lip members may be located on any portion of the support member 40 b such that the lip members are capable of retaining a portion of the leg assemblies therein.

The first lip member 200 b defines a first retaining area 202 b for retaining a portion of the first leg member 20 b therein for connecting the first leg member 20 b to the support member 40 b and to further permit rotation of the first leg member 20 b between an expanded position and a collapsed position when the first leg member 20 b is connected to the support member 40 a.

The second lip member 240 b defines a second retaining area 242 b for retaining a portion of the second leg member 30 b therein for connecting the second leg member 30 b to the support member 40 b and to further permit rotation of the second leg member 30 b between an expanded position and a collapsed position when the second leg member 30 b is connected to the support member 40 b. Rotation of each leg member within its respective lip member permits the stone and casket plaque easel 10 b to form an open profile on one side of the easel 10 a thus requiring less packaging space as well as permitting snap action of the easel 10 a in either the collapsed or erected position.

The lip members of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) may be unitary in construction with the support member 40 b, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, or the lip members may be formed separately from the support member 40. The lip members may also be constructed of the same material as the support member 40 b, or the lip members may be constructed of a different material than the support member 40 b.

As shown in FIG. 4B, when collapsing the leg members for transportation, shipment, or storage, the leg members may be rotated inwardly toward a center portion 42 b of the support member 40 b. However, it should be understood that the leg members may be collapsed in any manner that permit transportation, shipment, or storage of the easel 10 b.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5B, designated generally by the reference numeral 10 c is a stone and casket plaque easel. The stone and casket plaque easel 10 c has a plurality of leg members and, in one embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the stone and casket plaque easel 10 c has a first leg member 20 c and a second leg member 30 c. The stone and casket plaque easel 10 c also includes a support member 40 c for supporting and/or holding a floral object (not shown).

The first leg member 20 c has a first end 60 c, a second end 70 c, and a central portion 80 c. Each end of the first end 60 c and the second end 70 c is substantially L-shaped having surface engaging members 90 c and 100 c, respectively, for supporting each end of the first leg member 20 c. The second leg member 30 c has a first end 110 c, a second end 120 c, and a central portion 130 c. Each of the first end 110 c and the second end 120 c is substantially L-shaped having surface engaging members 140 c and 150 c, respectively, for supporting each end of the second leg member 30 c.

As shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the leg members may be constructed of a unitary piece of material such as, for example, flattened aluminum rod. However, it should be understood that the leg members of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) may be constructed of materials such as, for example, steel rod (tubular, flat, or profile shaped) and/or wire (coated or uncoated), aluminum rod (tubular, flat, or profile shaped) and/or wire (coated, anodized or uncoated), stainless steel rod (flat or profile shaped) and/or wire (coated or uncoated), plastic pieces of material having cylindrical, tubular, triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal, or other profile shapes or cross-sections of profile shapes, hollow, tubular or profile shaped materials made of metals or polymers, solid or hollow wood, synthetic or man-made materials, natural materials, or any other suitable material. Further, the material may be flexible or rigid.

Alternatively, the first leg member 20 c and the second leg member 30 c may be formed of two or more pieces of material. If the first leg member 20 c and the second leg member 30 c are formed of two or more pieces of material, the materials may differ or the materials may be the same. For example, if the first leg member 20 c and the second leg member 30 c are formed of two or more pieces of material, one of the leg members may be formed of steel and the other may be formed of aluminum. In another embodiment, each of the plurality of leg members may be formed of at least two or more materials. For example, a portion of at least one of the leg members may be steel and another portion of the leg member may be aluminum. The plurality of leg members may be constructed of the same material or a different material. For example, at least one of the plurality of leg members may be constructed of steel and the other leg members may be constructed of aluminum.

The leg members may have any size diameter, width, or profile dimensions and/or any length that is desired and useful for the particular use the stone and casket plaque easel 10 c is put. In general, however, the stone and casket plaque easel 10 c will have a height of from about 1″ to about 6″, more preferably a height from about 1″ to about 4″, and most preferably a height from about 1″ to about 3″.

The surface engaging members are generally in contact with a substrate (not shown) to thereby support and hold the stone and casket plaque easel 10 c in a position suitable for use to support a floral object. The substrate may be any surface such as, for example, a floor, a platform, dirt, grass, fiber, plastic, tile, carpet, combinations thereof, or any surface capable of supporting the stone and casket plaque easel 10 c thereon. It should be understood that the surface engaging members may be eliminated without altering the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

Each embodiment of the stone and casket plaque easel 10 c described herein could be used with or without anchoring materials known in the art to prevent the stone and casket plaque easel 10 c from moving or tipping. The anchoring materials may be connected to the surface engaging members or alternatively be an extension of the leg members. Examples of anchoring materials include, but are not limited to, adhesive, cohesive, spikes (metal or plastic), rubber feet or pads, combinations thereof, or any other materials capable of anchoring the stone and casket plaque easel 10 c to the substrate. The anchoring material may be formed integrally or non-integrally with the stone and casket plaque easel 10 c and may be constructed of the same or different material as the stone and casket plaque easel 10 c.

The support member 40 c for supporting and/or holding the floral object may be formed of the same material as the leg members (i.e., aluminum) or may be formed of a different material than the leg members such as, for example, any of the materials discussed above. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the support member 40 c is substantially rectangular in shape and has a first end 160 c, a second end 170 c, a first side 172 c, a second side 174 c, a first surface 180 c, and a second surface 190 c. Though the support member 40 c shown in FIG. 5A-5B is substantially rectangular in shape, it should be understood that the support member 40 c may be shaped in any manner to substantially conform to the shape of the casket and/or plaque. The support member 40 c further includes a first lip member 192 c defining a first retaining area 255 c and a second lip member 194 c defining a second retaining area 265 c.

The support member 40 c includes a pair of slit members (200 c, 220 c, 230 c, and 240 c) located at each of the first end 160 c and the second end 170 c, respectively, for ease of connecting and/or disconnecting the leg members to and/or from the support member 40 c for erecting and/or collapsing the stone and casket plaque easel 10 c. Each end further includes a central member (250 c and 260 c) for supporting the central portion 80 c and 130 c of each leg member. The slit members 200 c and 220 c, and the central member 250 c cooperate to further define the first retaining area 255 c. The slit members 230 c and 240 c, and the central member 260 c cooperate to further define the second retaining area 265 c.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when connecting each respective leg member to the support member 40 c, the user may need (although not necessary) to create a separation between each central member (250 c and 260 c) and the respective abutting slit members for insertion of the leg member by moving the respective slit members in one direction and the respective central member in an opposing direction to permit the first leg member 20 c to be positioned in the first retaining area 255 c and the second leg member 30 c to be positioned in the second retaining area 265 c. Further, when dissembling the leg members from the support member 40 c for transportation, shipment, or storage, the central members must be separated from the slit members in the same manner described above to disconnect each leg member from the support member (FIG. 5B).

The lip members may be constructed of the same material as the support member 40 c, or the lip members may be constructed of a different material than the support member 40 c.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6B, designated generally by the reference numeral 10 d is a stone and casket plaque easel. The stone and casket plaque easel 10 d has a plurality of leg members and, in one embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, the stone and casket plaque easel 10 d has a first leg member 20 d and a second leg member 30 d. The stone and casket plaque easel 10 d also includes a support member 40 d for supporting and/or holding a floral object (not shown).

The first leg member 20 d has a first end 60 d, a second end 70 d, and a central portion 80 d. Each end of the first end 60 d and the second end 70 d is substantially L-shaped having surface engaging members 90 d and 100 d, respectively, for supporting each end of the first leg member 20 d. The second leg member 30 d has a first end 110 d, a second end 120 d, and a central portion 130 d. Each of the first end 110 d and the second end 120 d is substantially L-shaped having surface engaging members 140 d and 150 d, respectively, for supporting each end of the second leg member 30 d.

As shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, the leg members may be constructed of a unitary piece of material such as, for example, flattened aluminum rod. However, it should be understood that the leg members of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) may be constructed of materials such as, for example, steel rod (tubular, flat, or profile shaped) and/or wire (coated or uncoated), aluminum rod (tubular, flat, or profile shaped) and/or wire (coated, anodized or uncoated), stainless steel rod (flat or profile shaped) and/or wire (coated or uncoated), plastic pieces of material having cylindrical, tubular, triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal, or other profile shapes or cross-sections of profile shapes, hollow, tubular or profile shaped materials made of metals or polymers, solid or hollow wood, synthetic or man-made materials, natural materials, or any other suitable material. Further, the material may be flexible or rigid.

Alternatively, the first leg member 20 d and the second leg member 30 d may be formed of two or more pieces of material. If the first leg member 20 d and the second leg member 30 d are formed of two or more pieces of material, the materials may differ or the materials may be the same. For example, if the first leg member 20 d and the second leg member 30 d are formed of two or more pieces of material, one of the leg members may be formed of steel and the other may be formed of aluminum. In another embodiment, each of the plurality of leg members may be formed of at least two or more materials. For example, a portion of at least one of the leg members may be steel and another portion of the leg member may be aluminum. The plurality of leg members may be constructed of the same material or a different material. For example, at least one of the plurality of leg members may be constructed of steel and the other leg members may be constructed of aluminum.

The leg members may have any size diameter, width, or profile dimensions and/or any length that is desired and useful for the particular use the stone and casket plaque easel 10 d is put. In general, however, the stone and casket plaque easel lad will have a height of from about 1″ to about 6″, more preferably a height from about 1″ to about 4″, and most preferably a height from about 1″ to about 3″.

The surface engaging members are generally in contact with a substrate (not shown) to thereby support and hold the stone and casket plaque easel 10 d in a position suitable for use to support a floral object. The substrate may be any surface such as, for example, a floor, a platform, dirt, grass, fiber, plastic, tile, carpet, combinations thereof, or any surface capable of supporting the stone and casket plaque easel lad thereon. It should be understood that the surface engaging members may be eliminated without altering the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

Each embodiment of the stone and casket plaque easel 10 d described herein could be used with or without anchoring materials known in the art to prevent the stone and casket plaque easel 10 d from moving or tipping. The anchoring materials may be connected to the surface engaging members or alternatively be an extension of the leg members. Examples of anchoring materials include, but are not limited to, adhesive, cohesive, spikes (metal or plastic), rubber feet or pads, combinations thereof, or any other materials capable of anchoring the stone and casket plaque easel 10 d to the substrate. The anchoring material may be formed integrally or non-integrally with the stone and casket plaque easel lad and may be constructed of the same or different material as the stone and casket plaque easel 10 d.

The support member 40 d for supporting and/or holding the floral object may be formed of the same material as the leg members (i.e., aluminum) or may be formed of a different material than the leg members such as, for example, any of the materials discussed above. As shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, the support member 40 d is substantially rectangular in shape and has a first end 160 d, a second end 170 d, a first side 172 d, a second side 174 d, a first surface 180 d, and a second surface 190 d. Though the support member 40 d shown in FIG. 6A-6B is substantially rectangular in shape, it should be understood that the support member 40 d may be shaped in any manner to substantially conform to the shape of the casket and/or plaque. The support member 40 d further includes a first lip member 192 d defining a first retaining area 194 d and a second lip member 196 d defining a second retaining area 198 d.

The support member 40 d includes a pair of slit members (200 d and 220 d, respectively) located at a central portion of each of the first end 160 d and the second end 170 d, respectively, for ease of connecting and/or disconnecting the leg members to the support member 40 d for erecting and/or collapsing the stone and casket plaque easel 10 d thereby creating upper members 230 d and 232 d and lower members 234 d and 236 d on each end of the support member 40 d and cooperating to define the first retaining area 235 d on the first end 160 d of the easel 10 d for placement of the first leg member 20 d therein and the second retaining area 237 d on the second end 170 d of the easel 10 d for placement of the second leg member 30 d therein. Though each slit is shown at the central portion of each end, it should be understood that the slit may be located anywhere along each end of the support member 40 d.

As shown in FIG. 6B, when connecting each respective leg member to the support member 40 d, the user may need (although not necessary) to create a separation along each slit for insertion of the leg member by moving the upper member 230 d and the lower member 234 d of the first lip member 192 d in opposing directions to permit the first leg member 20 d to be positioned in the first retaining area 194 d and moving the upper member 232 d and the lower member 236 d of the second lip member 196 d in opposing directions to permit the second leg member 30 d to be positioned in the second retaining area 198 d. Further, when dissembling the leg members from the support member 40 d for transportation, shipment, or storage, the slits may be separated to disconnect each leg member from the support member (FIG. 6B) in the same manner as described above.

Each leg member may be supported and braced by each of the upper and lower members located on each end of the support member 40 d. The upper and lower members may be constructed of the same material as the support member 40 d, or the upper and lower members may be constructed of a different material than the support member 40 d.

While methods of collapsing and methods of erecting the stone and casket plaque easel have been described herein, it is to be understood that other methods of collapsing the easels of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) will be evident to a person having ordinary skill in the art and therefore, such additional methods of collapsing and methods of erecting the stone and casket plaque easel are also within the scope of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

The various embodiments of the stone and casket plaque easel described herein in FIGS. 1-6, may be further shipped and/or stored. To ship the various embodiments of the stone and casket plaque easel described herein in FIGS. 1-6, the plurality of legs of the stone and casket plaque easel may be collapsed as described hereinabove; the stone and casket plaque easel may then be placed into a shipping container such as, for example, a box or crate, and the easel may be shipped to a predetermined location. Further, the various embodiments of the stone and casket plaque easel described herein in FIGS. 1-6, may be placed into a storage area for an indefinite period of time wherein the plurality of legs are collapsed so as to store the easel in a storage area for an indefinite period of time.

It is also to be understood that the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) also encompasses any embodiments described herein or modifications thereof with the skill of a person in the art. For example, any of the embodiments of the stone and casket plaque easel described herein may be self-erecting, self-collapsing, self-erecting and self-collapsing, semi-self-erecting, semi-self-collapsing, or semi-self-erecting and semi-self-collapsing. Also, any of the embodiments of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) described herein may be made so that no more than one assembly must be accomplished to maintain the easel in the erect position, semi-erect position, collapsed position, or semi-collapsed position.

Changes may be made in the construction and operation of the various components, elements and assemblies described herein or in the steps or sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). 

1. A method of forming a collapsible floral plaque for at least one of a casket and a headstone, comprising the steps of: providing a floral plaque in a collapsed condition, the floral plaque comprising a support member, a first leg member and a second leg member, wherein each of the first and second leg members are provided in a collapsed position; moving the first leg member and the second leg member from the collapsed position to an expanded position, whereby the floral plaque is capable of being supported on a support surface; disposing a floral grouping on the support member of the floral plaque; and disposing the floral plaque having the floral grouping thereon on at least one of the casket and headstone for display of the floral grouping thereon.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing a floral plaque, the support member is further defined as having a first lip member defining a first retaining area and a second lip member defining a second retaining area, the first leg member is further defined as having a first end and a second end in the first retaining area so that the first leg member may rotate between the expanded position and the collapsed position, and the second leg member is further defined as having a first end and a second end in the second retaining area so that the second leg member may rotate between the expanded position and the collapsed position.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing a floral plaque, the support member is further defined as having a first flexible lip member defining a first retaining area and a second flexible lip member defining a second retaining area, and wherein the first leg member and the second leg member are not attached to the support member in the collapsed position, whereby the step of moving the first leg member and the second leg member from the collapsed position to the expanded position is further defined as comprising the steps of: positioning the first leg member in the first retaining area; and positioning the second leg member in the second retaining area.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of positioning the first leg member in the first retaining area further comprises moving a distal end of the first lip member away from the support member to permit a portion of the first leg member to be positioned into the first retaining area and the step of positioning the second leg member in the second retaining area further comprises moving a distal end of the second lip member away from the support member to permit a portion of the second leg member to be positioned into the second retaining area.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first flexible lip member further defines a third retaining area and the second lip member further defines a fourth retaining area and wherein the step of positioning the first leg member further comprises positioning a first portion of the first leg member in the first retaining area and a second portion of the first leg member in the third retaining area and wherein in the step of positioning the second leg member further comprises positioning a first portion of the second leg member in the second retaining area and a second portion of the second leg member in the fourth retaining area so that the second leg member may rotate between an expanded position and a collapsed position.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the first flexible lip member includes a central member, a first slit member positioned on one side of the central member and a second slit member positioned on an opposing side of the central member so as to cooperate to define the first retaining area and the second flexible lip member includes a central member, a first slit member positioned on one side of the central member and a second slit member positioned on an opposing side of the central member so as to cooperate to define the second retaining area, and wherein the step of positioning the first leg member in the first retaining area further comprises moving the first slit member and the second slit member of the first flexible lip member in one direction and the central member of the first flexible lip member in an opposing direction to permit the first leg member to be positioned in the first retaining area and wherein the step of positioning the second leg member in the second retaining area further comprises moving the first slit member and the second slit member of the second flexible lip member in one direction and the central member of the second flexible lip member in an opposing direction to permit the second leg member to be positioned in the second retaining area.
 7. The method of claim 3, wherein the first flexible lip includes an upper member and a lower member formed by a first slit member positioned in a central portion of the first flexible lip member so as to cooperate to define a first retaining area and the second flexible lip member includes an upper member and a lower member formed by a second slit member positioned in a central portion of the second flexible lip member so as to cooperate to define a second retaining area wherein the step of positioning the first leg member in the first retaining area comprises moving the upper member and the lower member of the first flexible lip member in opposing directions to permit the first flexible leg member to be positioned in the first retaining area and wherein the step of positioning the second leg member in the second retaining area further comprises moving the upper member and the lower member of the second flexible lip member in opposing directions to permit the second flexible leg member to be positioned in the second retaining area. 